Phys101 Lecture 2

Kinematics in One Dimension (Review)

Key Points

• Average Velocity and Instantaneous Velocity

• Motion at Constant Acceleration

• Graphical Analysis

Sections covered:

2-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Reference Frames

Any measurement of position, distance, or speed must

be made with respect to a reference frame.

For example, if you are sitting on a train and someone

walks down the aisle, their speed with respect to the

train is a few miles per hour, at most. Their speed with

respect to the ground is much higher.

Set up the coordinate system before using formulas!

Distance and Displacement

We make a distinction between distance and

displacement.

Displacement (blue line) is how far the object is from

its starting point, regardless of how it got there.

Distance traveled (dashed line) is measured along the

actual path.

Speed and Velocity

The instantaneous velocity is the average velocity, in the

limit as the time interval becomes infinitesimally short.

0

I-clicker question 2-1Velocity in One Dimension

If the average velocity is non-zero over some

time interval, does this mean that the

instantaneous velocity is never zero during the

same interval?

A) yes

B) no

C) it depends

Acceleration

The instantaneous acceleration is the average

acceleration, in the limit as the time interval

becomes infinitesimally short.

(2-5)

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

Motion at Constant Acceleration

(2-11a)

(2-11b)

(2-11c)

(2-11d)

xo

At t=0, x=x0, v=v0 (initial position and velocity)

Can we use these formulas if the acceleration varies?

When throwing a ball straight up, which of the

following is true about its velocity v and its

acceleration a at the highest point in its path?

A) both v = 0 and a = 0

B) v 0, but a = 0

C) v = 0, but a 0

D) both v 0 and a 0

E) not really sure

i-clicker question 2-2Acceleration

Falling Objects

Near the surface of the Earth, all objects

experience approximately the same acceleration

due to gravity.

This is one of the most

common examples of

motion with constant

acceleration.

The acceleration due to

gravity at the Earth’s

surface is approximately

g=9.80 m/s2.

Graphical Analysis

The velocity is the slope

of the x-t curve.

Similarly, the acceleration is the

slope of the v-t curve.

2-8 Graphical Analysis of Linear Motion

The displacement, x,

is the area under the

v vs. t curve.

curve - under the area tvx

i-clicker question 2-3 Graphing Velocity I

t

x

The graph of position versus

time for a car is given below.

What can you say about the

velocity of the car over time?

A) it speeds up all the time

B) it slows down all the time

C) it moves at constant velocity

D) sometimes it speeds up and

sometimes it slows down

E) not really sure

t

x

A) it speeds up all the time

B) it slows down all the

time

C) it moves at constant

velocity

D) sometimes it speeds up

and

sometimes it slows

down

E) not really sure

The graph of position vs.

time for a car is given below.

What can you say about the

velocity of the car over time?

i-clicker question 2-4 Graphing Velocity II

Example: Ball thrown upward at edge of cliff.

A ball is thrown upward at a speed of 15.0 m/s by a person

standing on the edge of a cliff. How long does it take for the ball to

reach the base that is 50.0m below the cliff?

y

o

y

oo

y

o

y

A

B

D

C

A. A only

B. A or C

C. A or B

D. C only

E. A or B or C or D

i>Clicker question (2-5): Which coordinate system can be used?

Example: Ball thrown upward at edge of cliff.

A ball is thrown upward at a speed of 15 m/s by a person standing on

the edge of a cliff. How long does it take for the ball to reach the base

that is 50m below the cliff?

x

o

x

oo

x

o

x

A

B

D

C

A. x0=50m, v0=15m/s, a=9.8m/s2

B. x0=-50m, v0=15m/s, a=9.8m/s2

C. x0=-50m, v0=-15m/s, a=9.8m/s2

D. x0=-50m, v0=-15m/s, a=-9.8m/s2

E. x0=0, v0=-15m/s, a=9.8m/s2

i>Clicker question (2-6): For coordinate system D,

sttttx 07.5:for solve ,)8.9(2

115500 i.e., ,0 2

[Solution]

Things to do before next lecture

• Read the textbook (sections to be

covered: 3-1,2,3,4,5) and be ready for

clicker quizzes.

• Try to finish assignment #1 (both online

and written)

• Print out and read the next lecture note

(Lecture03.pdf)